A whole career could be cobbled from a likeness to somebody famous, as much an Elvis impersonator can attest. Within the auto world, affordable versions frequently duplicate the appearance of higher priced devices to enrich their allure.

If the first Nissan Altima started 20 years past, it wore a tot-sized variant of the Infiniti J30's rhinestone jumpsuit. Not one of this mattered. It began at $13,349, however the entire world believed you had purchased a $34,895 J30. Nissan sold 120,000 Altimas that first-year, 20-percent over intended.

Clearly, any likeness between an Infiniti M37 and the 2013 Altima is strictly deliberate as Nissan revives the show it staged back within the Nineties. A base Altima expenses $ 22, 280, now, but at a glance it seems you've invested $ 48, 595 on an Infiniti M37. Such as the original, the hottest Altima's contour produces a powerful first impression. Unlike the first, it stands up to closer examination.

Although somewhat longer and wider than before, the brand new Altima is no-fat Elvis: It is dropped weight. Our almost filled SL 2.5liter fourcylinder version weighed 3102 pounds, a remarkable 124 pounds less-than the last fourcylinder Altima we analyzed. The hood, trunk, and roof now are aluminum, as well as your body utilizes more highstrength metal to block out the small increase in size. The wheelbase is unchanged, but the width makes for additional shoulder room in the bigger cottage.

Frontseat relaxation is exceptional, thanks to newly constructed buckets. Gentle and supportive, the seats have a memoryfoam - like think embraces the human body with a delightfully uniform stress. The back seats are not quite as comfy as those in the firstclass front-row, however there is loads of room. Legroom is exceptional; believe leave row minus the duty.

Bucking the trend of providing only fourcylinder engines in midsize family sedans, Nissan provides an elective 270hp V-6. The organization expects just one in 10 customers will need it. There isn't any manual, normal automatic, or dualclutch transmission. Every 2013 Altima includes a CVT.

One upside of the CVT is that it really copes with the outcomes of tall gearing much better than a normal automatic does. Accelerating to pass or sustaining speed-up a hill does not need a jarring downshift. Its ratio is adjusted by the CVT seamlessly to feather in more engine rpm. Full-throttle still results within the motor hit the governor at 116 mph, something spinning at continuous high rpm (about 6200) before you few owners will likely encounter.

But that is at a section filled with dull vehicles that do little more than declare to the planet which you have quit.

On-mountain roads after we drove the Altima expectations ran low. Going for a household sedan canyon carving is similar to wearing sweat pants into a pub: You aren't expecting any actions. Shock. Credit, also, a cunning new suspension layout that produces a rear - lead effect to affect the back tires more assertively in the attempt. What most owners will discover is a sense of equilibrium as long as they swerve or enter a crook too fast. We recorded a protected 0.85 grams of clasp.

The Altima isn't without dynamic sins, though: Its exceedingly assisted and numb steering and 188foot braking distance demand some forbearance.

Drive the Altima with all the family aboard, also it retains its mechanical machinations isolated from residents. Ride comfort is great, but bigger lumps send a shiver through the construction.

It comprises niceties for example cruise-control, a sixway power driver's seat, Bluetooth connectivity, 17inch aluminum wheels, double-zone climate-control, and remote start. Including navigation costs a quite practical $ 590; bolting in the package (sunroof mirror, autodimming, and fog lights) provides $ 1350 to the bill. To a filled SV, the $ 28, 830 SL adds a ninespeaker Bose stereo, leather seats, a heated steering-wheel, and heated seats. We had bypass the SL's Infiniti-like trappings and accept the SV. The Joneses will likely be amazed by the Altima in either case, why spend Vegas cocktail lounge prices when the Elvis impersonator in the pub gets the job accomplished?